Directed by Peter Yates, perhaps best known today for the crime thriller Bullitt (1968), John and Mary is something of a forgotten gem. It's the story of a man and a women who meet at a bar, nothing new there, but what follows is what happens the day after. Two virtual strangers get to know each other. Each is jaded to some extent by previous relationships that have gone wrong. As we follow their story along, we see, intermittently (through their eyes) what happened.
The film is to an extent an exercise in style. From the characters awakening "the night after," to the steady conversations and interruptions of consciousness: flashbacks to their past, as thoughts on their minds.
Dustin Hoffman is well cast as John, a neurotic, seemingly straight laced new age man. Equally Mia Farrow is strong as Mary, a slightly jaded young independent women who has grown somewhat cynical due to past relationships. Each of them have loved and lost before, they've been around the block and are no longer naive to the world. But that doesn't mean they are as wise as they think they are.
Structurally the film is non-linear. The story passes backwards and forwards in time in a kind of stream of consciousness. The film is heavily influenced by European cinema of the 1960's, especially the films of the French New Wave, while Jean-Luc Godard's Weekend (1967) is discussed in the titular character's first meeting.
Visually, John and Mary is direct. It's key focus is on the character's and their thoughts. To this extent, the film is much like a play. Moving from dialogue to monologue, or in this films case, narration.
While following the cynicism of many films of the 60's, the film remains positive and hopeful. It is a strange mishmash that sits somewhere between the blissful puppy love of Romeo and Juliet, and the more nuanced adult romance of Annie Hall (1977). This gives the impression that the film is a kind of Frankenstein's monster, but it isn't. The movie is a solid romantic drama. It takes inspiration from many sources and crafts an interesting take on contemporary relationships at the time it was made.
It's not a perfect film by any stretch of the imagination. The pace is sometimes ropy and the script occasionally feels stilted. But these are issues which are generally glossed over due to solid acting and equable direction from Peter Yates.
Is it an instant classic? No. But that doesn't mean it isn't a truly interesting movie. If you like romantic dramas that put their own spin on the genre, give this one a watch, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Friday, 1 May 2020
Thursday, 30 April 2020
Jonathan Creek (1997 - 2016) – Breakdown of a show
With the world in lockdown and people consuming TV shows in heavy doses, the question comes to mind, what are you watching? While most are turning to glossy Netflix and Amazon originals for their binge worthy television, I came across a simple mystery show that has had me hooked.
Jonathan Creek (1997 - 2016) is different to most mystery shows, films or books. It is less about "whodunit" and more about how they did it, and to an extent the show isn't even about that. It's a comedy of manners, masquerading as a mystery thriller.
The show stars Alan Davies as the titular character. He's not a detective or former police officer as in most mystery stories, instead a magician's ideas man. A man who is interested in illusion, misdirection and the truthful (logical) answer. Supporting him in the early seasons of the show is Caroline Quentin who plays his character's opposite Maddy Magellan. Where he is gawky, she is sociable. She's a freelance journalist and also, a compulsive liar. She will do or say what she needs in order to get to the bottom of her story.
Together though they make a charming odd couple, trying to get the same answer for differing reasons. In later seasons, Jonathan is joined by other supporting character's to act as a foil, however none of them have the same charm or chemistry that Davies and Quentin share earlier on in the shows run.
Visually the show is shot like a typical British mystery thriller. Although the style and construction of the show is very different. The show is part puzzle box, part Screwball Comedy. The hook to each episode is, what has happened? A crime has been committed and we want to know how it happened. We then follow the key characters as they try to find out what has really gone on. That's the hook, but what keeps us invested and coming back for more is the levity of other aspects of the show. The witty back and forths and the contrast of the farcical situations the investigators get themselves into while seeking the truth.
Although at times tongue in cheek, the acting on the show is strong. The music is equally effective. Camille Saint-Saëns Danse macabre is the perfect piece of music to set the tone. Grand and lofty, serious and yet somewhat absurd. The music balances between scary and silly at the same time in the same way the writing balances the tones of mystery and romantic comedy.
There have been many parodies of the mystery thriller, however there are very few loving homages that stand out as their own entity. This show is one of them.
On the whole, the show feels fun and fresh. In a world filled with big budget movies and TV shows, this one maintains a uniqueness that permeates throughout. It isn't the greatest TV show every made, but it's got soul and character. It isn't concerned with lofty ideals, it deals with mysteries and people in conflict. It's funny, witty and mysterious: it's Jonathan Creek and there's really nothing else quite like it.
Jonathan Creek (1997 - 2016) is different to most mystery shows, films or books. It is less about "whodunit" and more about how they did it, and to an extent the show isn't even about that. It's a comedy of manners, masquerading as a mystery thriller.
The show stars Alan Davies as the titular character. He's not a detective or former police officer as in most mystery stories, instead a magician's ideas man. A man who is interested in illusion, misdirection and the truthful (logical) answer. Supporting him in the early seasons of the show is Caroline Quentin who plays his character's opposite Maddy Magellan. Where he is gawky, she is sociable. She's a freelance journalist and also, a compulsive liar. She will do or say what she needs in order to get to the bottom of her story.
Together though they make a charming odd couple, trying to get the same answer for differing reasons. In later seasons, Jonathan is joined by other supporting character's to act as a foil, however none of them have the same charm or chemistry that Davies and Quentin share earlier on in the shows run.
Visually the show is shot like a typical British mystery thriller. Although the style and construction of the show is very different. The show is part puzzle box, part Screwball Comedy. The hook to each episode is, what has happened? A crime has been committed and we want to know how it happened. We then follow the key characters as they try to find out what has really gone on. That's the hook, but what keeps us invested and coming back for more is the levity of other aspects of the show. The witty back and forths and the contrast of the farcical situations the investigators get themselves into while seeking the truth.
Although at times tongue in cheek, the acting on the show is strong. The music is equally effective. Camille Saint-Saëns Danse macabre is the perfect piece of music to set the tone. Grand and lofty, serious and yet somewhat absurd. The music balances between scary and silly at the same time in the same way the writing balances the tones of mystery and romantic comedy.
There have been many parodies of the mystery thriller, however there are very few loving homages that stand out as their own entity. This show is one of them.
On the whole, the show feels fun and fresh. In a world filled with big budget movies and TV shows, this one maintains a uniqueness that permeates throughout. It isn't the greatest TV show every made, but it's got soul and character. It isn't concerned with lofty ideals, it deals with mysteries and people in conflict. It's funny, witty and mysterious: it's Jonathan Creek and there's really nothing else quite like it.
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